Friday, January 25, 2002
< More swans reportedly killed over past few days >
BirdLife Malta has urged the authorities to intensify the search for five
swans
that were killed by hunters at St Thomas Bay on Sunday but not recovered. A
further three were found.
It said public help was needed in such investigations.
BirdLife also urged all those having information related to the swans' case
to
call the police Administrative Law Enforcement unit on tel. 21 235761, or
the
society itself on 7925 5697. All information would be treated with the
strictest
confidence.
The society said it had reliable information that last Sunday, another flock
of
30 swans which settled outside St Thomas Bay was shot at and at least
another
two swans were killed.
Separate reports have reached BirdLife that yet a third flock of five swans
rested in Gozo; of these only two were seen flying in the evening.
On seeing another flock of three mute swans on Tuesday, members of the
public
immediately called the police who promptly dispatched a patrol boat to the
area.
All three swans were seen flying off safely later in the afternoon, BirdLife
said.
Meanwhile, the Malta Tourism Authority and the Ghaqda Dilettanti tas-Senter
u
L-Gabjun have both issued statements deploring last Sunday's killing of
several
swans by hunters in St Thomas Bay, Marsascala.
The MTA warned that this could have an adverse effect on tourism.
"The killing of protected species creates a negative image of Malta,
depletes
Malta's natural environment, and could also discourage tourists from
visiting
our islands," the MTA said.
___________________________________________
This article may also be viewed at
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=86678
Friday, January 25, 2002
< Swan massacre >
by Kenneth Cassar, Marsascala.
Animal rights activists condemn the swan massacre as a merciless and
unnecessary
killing of innocent life.
Environmentalists condemn the swan massacre as a killing of a protected
species.
Law abiders condemn the swan massacre as a downright breaking of the law
unashamedly performed in front of dozens of onlookers.
Those who care for the safety of their children condemn the swan massacre
for
the danger these three "men" posed on their children by shooting close to
them.
Those who care for the tourism industry condemn the swan massacre as a huge
stain on Malta's image abroad.
Yet this is not the first time this has happened, and it will happen again
unless the present laws are urgently revised and tougher penalties imposed
on
such and other cases of animal cruelty.
If this is not done as soon as possible, more birds will be killed, more
people
will be put in danger, and more tourists will boycott Malta as their holiday
destination. If animal rights are not a major concern of many Maltese
politicians, tourism should be, since it is one of the major industries in
Malta.
Let the government be reminded that nowadays news travels fast, and people
from
all over the world know what happens in Malta at a touch of a computer
keyboard
button.
The present laws are no deterrent. Less talk... tougher penalties!
___________________________________________
This article may also be viewed at
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=86740
=================================================
david camilleri
Please now go to < http://proaction.tripod.com/malta/ >
Why don't you join < http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Eurobirder > and
< http://proaction.tripod.com/team/
< http://www.MaltaTouristAction.org
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